SHILLONG: Umaim Lake, major tourist attraction in Shillong is at an alarming stage. According to a report by Meghalaya House committee, the unchecked siltation and dumping of waste will reduce the lifespan of the lake.
Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, recently held a meeting for urgent action to save the Umiam Lake. Sangama recommended to formulate both short term and long term measures to clean the lake. He directed to form a committee of officials from Forest, district administration, Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), Shillong Municipal Board, District Council and Water Resources department to work out measures for cleaning the lake.
“While the government will definitely look into long term measures to clean Umiam Lake, it is urgently required to stop further waste being dumped into the lake,” added Sangma.
After a visit to the dam site, Himalaya Shangpliang, a committee member, said that the people living in the locality make a livelihood out of the wastes collected in the dam. Residents earn approximately Rs 18 per kilogram. “Their profit is more when there is heavy rainfall. But we won’t encourage this,” added Shangpliang.